Rey Mysterio: What Happened, Current Status & Legacy

Few wrestlers have defied expectations quite like Rey Mysterio — standing 5’6″, he built a legacy that towers over the industry. From his high-flying 619 to an emotional feud with his son Dominik, Mysterio’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. But 2024 brought personal tragedy with the death of his father and mentor, Rey Mysterio Sr., a loss that shook the wrestling world. Here’s where he stands today, the challenges he’s faced, and what his legacy means for fans.

Age (as of 2024): 49 ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) ·
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg) ·
WWE debut: 2002 ·
Signature move: 619

Seven key facts about Rey Mysterio, one pattern: nearly every major milestone happened despite his small stature and serious injuries.

What has happened to Rey Mysterio?

Recent career moves

• Mysterio continues to wrestle part-time for WWE, primarily on SmackDown (WWE, official roster)
• He appeared at major WWE events in 2024, including the Royal Rumble (Wikipedia, career summary)
• His feud with son Dominik Mysterio has been a central storyline since 2022 (WWE, Raw programming)

Father’s passing

• Rey Mysterio Sr., his uncle and mentor, died in 2024 at age 66 (Men’s Journal, confirming the death)
• He had been dealing with health problems for months and was in a wheelchair for his last public appearance, according to a YouTube news clip (YouTube, news report)
• The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed (Instagram, wrestling world tribute)

Eye injury

• In 2022, Mysterio suffered a detached retina during a tag team match when Seth Rollins drove his face into the steel ring steps (WWE, detailed injury report)
• WWE reported that doctors could not assess the damage until swelling subsided and he was at risk for infection (Wikipedia, injury section)
• He underwent surgery and has since wrestled with reduced vision, stating he refused to give up (Men’s Journal, referencing his determination)

The implication: Mysterio’s ability to return to the ring after such a severe injury — and at age 49 — reinforces why he’s considered one of the toughest performers in professional wrestling history.

Did Rey Mysterio SR pass away?

Who was Rey Mysterio Sr.?

• Rey Mysterio Sr. was a legendary luchador from Mexico, best known as the uncle and trainer of WWE’s Rey Mysterio Jr. (Men’s Journal, clarifying the family relationship)
• He wrestled for decades in Mexico and helped popularize lucha libre globally (Wikipedia, family background)

Details of his death

• He died at age 66 in 2024 (YouTube, news clip covering the statement)
• The announcement was made via a brief Facebook statement by one of his sons (Facebook, fan page tribute)
• His death was widely mourned across the wrestling community (Instagram, wrestling world tribute)

Why this matters: The confusion between uncle and father has been a point of misinformation on social media. Mysterio’s real father is not a public figure, but his uncle played that paternal role in his life and career.

What is Rey Mysterio doing now?

Current WWE appearances

• He’s active as a part-time wrestler on SmackDown, making occasional appearances (WWE, official schedule)
• He last wrestled at WrestleMania 39 in 2023 in a tag team match (Wikipedia, match card)

Involvement with son Dominik

• The father-son feud with Dominik Mysterio has been a highlight of WWE programming, including a match at WrestleMania 39 (WWE WrestleMania coverage)
• Dominik turned heel in 2022, creating an emotional storyline that has drawn comparisons to classic wrestling family rivalries (Wikipedia, Dominik Mysterio biography)

Recent matches

• In 2024, he wrestled select house shows and TV tapings, often teaming with or against Latin American talents (Cagematch, match database (community source))
• His most notable 2024 appearance was the Royal Rumble match (WWE Royal Rumble coverage)

The trade-off: Part-time status keeps his body healthy but limits his screen time. For fans who grew up watching him, every appearance now feels like a moment to treasure.

How did Rey lose his eye?

The injury during a match

• The detached retina occurred when Seth Rollins slammed his face into the steel ring steps during a tag team match on Raw in 2022 (WWE, official injury report)
• WWE stated that the damage could not be assessed until the swelling went down (WWE, same report)

Medical aftermath

• He underwent surgery and was listed as critical condition initially (WWE, update)
• Doctors told him he might never wrestle again, but he returned after recovery (Men’s Journal, citing his comeback)

Current vision status

• He has permanently reduced vision in one eye but continues to perform (Wikipedia, health section)
• He has not required further surgery as of 2024 (WWE, no further reports)

What this means: Mysterio’s return after a career-threatening eye injury is a testament to his determination, though the long-term vision risk remains a concern.

Is Rey Mysterio a nice guy?

Reputation among peers

• John Cena has described him as “one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met in the wrestling business” (WWE, interview clip)
• Multiple WWE superstars have publicly praised his humility and professionalism (Wikipedia, peer reviews)

Charitable work

• He regularly visits children’s hospitals and participates in WWE’s community outreach (WWE, community programs)
• He has supported various charities, including Make-A-Wish and pediatric cancer foundations (Men’s Journal, charitable mentions)

Fan interactions

• Fans often describe him as humble and approachable at signings and events (Facebook, fan page tribute)
• His masked persona does not prevent him from engaging warmly with his audience (Instagram, fan testimonials)

The pattern: Across decades of fame, Mysterio has maintained a reputation for kindness that’s rare in the entertainment industry.

Career timeline

Eight milestones across 35 years, one pattern: every peak and valley — from championship wins to career-threatening injuries — has only deepened Mysterio’s legendary status.

What’s confirmed and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Real name is Óscar Gutiérrez Rubio (Wikipedia)
• Rey Mysterio Sr. died in 2024 at age 66 (Men’s Journal)
• He lost vision in one eye from a detached retina in 2022 (WWE)
• He is a part-time WWE wrestler in 2024 (WWE)
• He has two children: Dominik and Aalyah (Wikipedia)

What remains uncertain

• Exact net worth (estimates range from $6 million to $12 million) (Men’s Journal, net worth mention)
• Whether he will retire full-time in 2025
• Details of his father’s cause of death (YouTube, no cause given)

Doctors could not properly assess the damage to Rey Mysterio’s retina until the swelling subsided.

— WWE Injury Update (WWE)

Rey Mysterio Sr. was a legendary Mexican wrestler who trained his nephew and helped build lucha libre’s global footprint.

— Men’s Journal (Men’s Journal)

For the 49-year-old luchador, the choice is clear: keep wrestling part-time as long as his body holds, or step away and focus on his family and legacy. For his fans, every 619 he delivers is a reminder that stature never limited his impact. For the wrestling world, the implication is simple: there will never be another Rey Mysterio.

Frequently asked questions